In the coming years, it's going to be tough to find enough workers to fill all the jobs vacated by retiring baby boomers and tougher still to attract the right "top performers" that make an organization great. Companies are taking action, positioning themselves as desirable places to work by building their employer brand. A strong corporate culture and consistent communication about that culture are prerequisites to success.

Click here for printable PDF of the full document

Increasingly, people are working everywhere--in group spaces near cubicles, while waiting in airports, at "campsite" workstations, from the comfort of home. There are plenty of reasons why, from the need to keep good people--in large part by helping them balance work and life--to the requirement that real estate be put to better use. The question becomes, when and how to incorporate alternative work styles in an organization? Among other things, the answer must determine whether these work styles align with the organization's goals. This is the first reality check. The next, and perhaps more important one, involves culture. Even cultures that are friendly to alternative work styles must build support for them. What matters most is that people have options to work in the way--and the place--that works best for them.

Click here for printable PDF of the full document

The baby boomer generation is staying healthier and more active--and working longer--than any generation before it. This trend is occurring just as many companies are realizing the value of employing maturing workers. For these workers to contribute their fullest, they will likely require workplace modifications and schedule adjustments that address the changes aging brings--a decline in vision, hearing, or muscle strength and dexterity; an increase in cognition time required to process and recall information. A concept called universal design holds promise for meeting the needs of older workers. It proposes that as many people as possible be able to use a product or environment. To do this, universal design takes the full range of human limitations and disabilities into account. The lesson from these efforts is clear--creating environments for aging eyes, tools that require less strength to operate, and workspaces positioned at heights appropriate for an aging body also benefits younger workers.

Click here for printable PDF of the full document

Is it possible to measure the degree to which a physical place supports people's concentration, use of technology, and ability to work collaboratively? Researchers at Herman Miller demonstrate that it is. And they add that it's essential for organizations to regularly gauge the contribution "place" can make toward realizing an organization's strategic objectives. This research summary looks at the results of several studies that measure the effect of the workplace on business outcomes. The findings provide an empirical rationale for taking a strategic approach to selecting and using facilities and office furniture.

Click here for printable PDF of the full document

Today's dormitories are losing any resemblance to the large-scale, multi-floor, barracks-style dormitories of the past. A shift is occurring that mirrors the paradigm shift in teaching and learning styles. It encompasses not only architecture and amenities but also how the residential experience can meet the needs and expectations of a new generation of students. In the face of a declining student population, U.S. colleges and universities are building new residence halls, in part, to attract new students and retain those already enrolled. A push to sustainability is also a key driver. The result is a residence hall experience that melds living, learning, and socializing.

Click here for printable PDF of the full document